– Major expansion proposed for the popular Lattitude Restaurant on Memorial Avenue has cleared a hurdle in the form of the Zoning Board of Appeals granting two special permits needed for the project.

The board voted 3-0 Monday to authorize the special permits needed because the restaurant building at 1336-1344 Memorial Ave. is a nonconforming use of a building in a structure that does not conform to the property’s business A zoning designation.

“I’m thrilled for them. They’ve got great food, great service,” Mayor Edward J. Gibson said Friday. “To see a West Springfield business thrive and grow is exciting.”

Planning Administrator Richard A. Werbiskis said Friday that the board attached the stipulation that the restaurant follow through on its plan to lease room for 44 parking spaces on property owned by the Eastern States Exposition across the street. Those spaces would be in addition to it keeping its lease on land across the street from it on Exposition Terrace that provides 48 off-street parking spaces.

Werbiskis said the board has also required that valet parking be used for parking on the Eastern Exposition property.

“It needs to be a valet service so we don’t have patrons crossing Memorial Avenue,” Werbiskis said of the avenue, which is very heavily traveled.

Plans for the expansion include a banquet room in the adjacent former Memo’s Restaurant space and adding 796 square feet to the rear and side of the existing 2,997-square-foot building. They also call for demolition of a three-family apartment house at 19-23 Exposition Terr.

Earlier this year, Lattitude Realty LLC got permission from the board to increase the eatery’s seating capacity from just under 100 to 206. The board has also approving increasing the total seating capacity to 358 as well as adding 32 seasonal seats on a proposed patio along Memorial Avenue.

The expansion scheme also includes plans for an apartment on the second floor of the building and a retail bakery.

The parcel on which the restaurant is situated is owned by Margaret L. Balestri Real Estate Trust of West Springfield and is in the process of being sold to Lattitude Realty LLC.

Management at the restaurant has declined to comment on the expansion plans until a real estate closing takes place.